Recently, I realized it's been years since I put myself to the trouble of actually seeing live performances. I used to really enjoy theater and concerts. In high school I thought I wanted to be an actor, but I opted for a major in music once I got to college. I saw plays, and rock concerts, and one man shows, and jazz trios, and ballets, and student recitals, and punk shows, and operas. If it was on a stage I wanted to see it. Then I went through some troubled times, and I stopped caring about performance art. Instead of entertaining me, it was too much effort. I saw three or four music concerts over eight years, and a one man show about Abraham Lincoln. That was it. Kind of sad, really.
But since I've returned to the Bay Area I've been gradually rediscovering how much fun it is to see live theater. After seeing a bad performance of La Cage au Folles last summer, and thoroughly enjoying Weird Al Yankovic's concert in the autumn, I felt inspired to try again. I scanned the papers, and started reading the weekly theater reviews. I wanted to see something on the Peninsula, but everything was so predictable: Mame, Bye Bye Birdie, Applause. Then Sei asked if I wanted to go to the opera with her. Yes, I said, as long as it's not Wagner, Puccini, or Verdi. She suggested Don Giovanni, which happens to be one of my favorites. Right after that I read about Tom Stoppard's play, The Invention of Love, being performed in San Francisco. A play about the dark heart of A.E. Houseman? Perfect.
I had to wait until payday this week to buy theatre tickets and opera tickets. The money's finally in the bank, so I sat down at my computer to order tickets to the Stoppard play. Sold out. Doggone it. I decided to go ahead and get tickets for the San Francisco Opera's June production of Don Giovanni. The box office system was down. Fine. I went back and ordered tickets for ACT's presentation of Marlowe's Edward II. I have no idea if I'll like the play, but I have fond memories of ACT. It'll great to see a show at the Geary Theater again. I'm excited. I actually bought theater tickets!
So, how about that New Hampshire primary? I'm looking forward to voting next month. Here are my candidates: Bruinhilda and Winkelman, the Peace and Quiet party!
Win With Winkelman sticker courtesy Elizabeth Fox.
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